Improvement in torpedoes for oil-wells



A. P. SHEARMAN. Torpedo for4 Oil-Wells.

No. 219,880. Parentd sept. 23, |879.`

www Q ATTORNEY NITED S'rrrrns PATENT FFroE.

ADDISON P.'SHEARMAN0F JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

nMPRovEMEN-r INToRPl-:noEs FOR OIL-WELLS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent o. 219,880, dated Sepember 23, 1879; application iled August v28, 1879.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, ADDISON P. SHEAEMAN, of Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented cert-ain new and useful Improvements in Blasters or Blasting; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, `which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to .make and useV the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters 4, 5, and 6 are detail views.

A represents acase, which is made of metal, wood, or any other suitable material; also iliade of any size or dimensions desired, and which `is closed at the bottom and opened at the top. Said case is to contain the exploding material. Inserted within the top of this case is a second case, B, of only a few inches in length, and held within vease A by means of `hooks fastened to the outside of case A and hooked over the top of case B.

Case B has a perforated bottom. Within this second case stands an iron stool,'C, with a perforated top. Through the top of this stool pass three wires, D, one end of which rest-s in the beveled holes bored partly through the bottom of case B, and projecting above t-he top of the iron stool C, 'which is used merely to hold the wires in a perpendicular' position. Atiixed to each end of these wires D is a percussion-cap. Resting on the top of these wires D, but not affixed thereto, is a movable iron guard or plate, E, also perforated. Through the center of this guard E, the center of the top of the stool C, and the center of the bottom of case B, is bored a hole. Passing the end of a wire or rope, F, through these holes, and making it fast to the bottom of case B, the entire blaster is lowered into any excavation or hole to any depth required. A hollow weight, G, made of metal, of any weight required, is then affixed to the line and dropped. Following the line down, it strikes the guard-plate E, transmitting' the force of the blow to the caps on each end of wires D, exploding them, which, in turn, explodes the glycerine, (or whatever explosive is used,) and the blast is accomplished. l y

The superiority of this blaster over other kinds is the ease and safety with which it is operated; also, ease in recapping. Should the first caps not go, all that is required is to raise it to the surface, withdrawl the wires, place new caps on them, and return. Thus it is not necessary to empty out the explosive, and become liable to the danger attending that operation.

What I claim is- The combination, with the body of a blaster or torpedo, of an inside case, B, held to the body bymeans of hooks, with three perpendicular wires, D,.inovable and adjustable, with a percussion-cap aflixed to each end, one end resting upon a solid metallic base, said wires supported in a perpendicular position by a guard, (l, a movable plate, E, resting on the top ofthe wires, which receives the'blowfroln the weight to explode the fulminate, substan.- *l

tially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ADDISON P. SHEARMAN. Vitnesses:

GEORGE W. NEFF, ALFRED HOWELL. 

